Simcoe and Centennial hops

[Adrian Woodhouse]

Has anyone ever used these two hops in combination in an American Pale Ale. Just wondering what results people have had with them?

[Alex]

Yep it makes an excellent pale ale or IPA! Classic hop combo, Pliny the Elder uses a lot of Simcoe and Centennial. 

[Crusader-Rob]

Love that simcoe!

[Barry]

ditto, love me some Simcoe. Amazing too in a brown ale or black IPA.

[Adrian Woodhouse]

thanks folks, any thoughts on a recipe for an IPA?

[Alex]

For a great IPA I would use 80 percent pale ale malt or 60 percent pale ale malt and 20 percent pilsner, 10% Munich malt, 5 percent Carapils, 3% Caramalt.  I would target 70IBU with half the bittering at 60min and the rest of the bittering coming from additions at 20min and 10min. Go heavy on the late hopping. I usually use between 300 and 400 grams of hops in a 20l batch of a big IPA.  OG around 1065. Mash dry to get good attenuation, maximum final gravity would be 1015. Key is to experiment and find out what you prefer. Some people like more crystal malt etc, I don't like a lot of crystal because I think it clashes with the hops.

[Peter Smith]

yeah lots of bittering does not necessary offset too much crystal, its a personal taste thing there is no right or wrong,  I personally do not like too much crystal, I like more grapefruit taste over a mellow malt... YMMV...  too me if you bite into a grapefruit your mouth should pucker up due to the bitterness... I dont sprinkle sugar onto my grapefruit either...

really agree with above post, I am not a fan of huge super "I have more IBUs then you" beers

Also I agree re above clash with NZ hops...   the fruity and sweet is not good... (NZ Sav Blanc is not sweet but is fruity...) I reckon NZ hops go better in a pale ale then an IPA so far but hell its a taste thing as long as its clean clear and carbonated I am all for it

[David R]

I'd say look for clone recipes for beers you've liked and go from there. I've seen recipes straight from the brewer for many great IPAs, Pliny, Green Flash West Coast etc etc. This is a good looking recipe you could start with, I haven't tried the beer [yet, will be there in two weeks!] but have heard nothing but good things.